8 Tips for Staying Sane While Studying

It can be difficult to manage your academic or professional future, especially when you also have other obligations, such as family or work. Finding ways to optimize study time and reduce stress is essential to staying sane and successful on a busy schedule. Listed below are eight tips for setting yourself up for success:

Plan a Study Schedule

When studying for a challenging exam like the National Academy of Sports Medicine to become a Certified Personal Trainer, you will undoubtedly have a lot of information to review. Creating a study schedule and reviewing study guides can help you stay organized and on track. The NASM study guide is a great resource. Creating a study schedule can give you a realistic overview of how much information you have to cover. When it comes to learning, cramming at the last minute is far less effective than studying a little at a time and is far more stressful.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

As an aspiring fitness trainer, you know the importance of eating three well-balanced meals a day. When you eat well, your organs and brain will function better, so you'll learn more. Give your brain what it needs. Eat foods that are low in sugars and fats, as they may make you feel sluggish. Try to eat foods that can boost your performance during exams. Be careful not to overdo it when it comes to caffeine. If you drink coffee to get over an afternoon slump, you may not be able to sleep well at night. Choose an orange instead, as citrus fruits can increase alertness with their bright flavors and scents.

Get Adequate Sleep

Pulling all-nighters is not a badge of honor. Staying up late won't make you remember anything more, and it will lower the quality of your work. Sleep when you feel you need to, and make sure that you get a full night's rest (or as much of one as you can). Studies show that adults should be getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. You'll be sharper and have more energy to study, write, or take that test the next day. The NASM study guide makes it easy for you to thoroughly review important information without having to stay up all night.

Take Regular Breaks

Be as disciplined as you need with your studying, but be fair yourself. Take regular breaks. Move your body by standing up, stretching, shaking out your muscles, and walking around your room. If you need to, do this every half hour for five minutes. Studying in multiple short sessions is always more effective than studying in large chunks. Consider taking this a step further and taking some days off as well. This will allow your body and mind to recharge. By maintaining a 24/7 attitude, people perpetuate the toxic belief that they must constantly be on the go. This is actually more detrimental to your productivity and sanity.   

Keep Socializing

Some people may feel the need to hibernate while they're studying, which can be effective for a short time, but no matter how introverted you may be, not speaking to anyone for days on end is not a good idea. In order to stay sane, we need to interact with others, whether that means walking (and talking to) our dogs, calling our mothers, talking to our friends online, or even simply getting together for lunch or a coffee after a few hours of reviewing the NASM study guide. Try at least one of these things; it will make a world of difference.   

Get Some Fresh Air

Fresh air and sunlight outside will boost your energy and make you feel less moody. Taking in more fresh air increases the oxygen level in your blood. More oxygen circulates to the brain, making you feel energized and enhancing your concentration and memory. Additionally, increased oxygen intake increases the release of the brain chemical serotonin, which can improve one's mood and well-being, among other benefits.

Use Social Media Sparingly

Social media can be a distraction or an excuse for procrastination when it comes to exams, or it can offer support and a way to connect with your peers. Consider a social media fast until you have completed your last exam if you know you'll lose a lot of time aimlessly scrolling through Facebook updates. On the other hand, if you are feeling isolated as you prepare for exams, use social media to connect with others. Set up an online study group with others who are reviewing the study NASM study guide and ask each other questions as they arise. Depending on how you engage with social media, you may want to use it to support yourself or abandon it altogether. 

Take Time for Yourself

With a tough exam on the horizon and looming deadlines, the idea of taking time for yourself may seem like a joke. Unwind at the end of the day with mindfulness practices, such as meditation, to focus and calm the mind. A recent study found that even meditating for a few minutes improved executive function and focus. It is also a good idea to keep yourself healthy during exams by doing aerobic exercises. Exercise produces endorphins, the feel-good hormones. Anxiety can be alleviated by exercising even for just 5-10 minutes a day.